X-ray aiming ring apparatus and setups

The present invention relates to dental X-ray imaging and, more particularly, to aiming rings used in dentistry to align an X-ray beam with an image receptor.

Intraoral X-ray imaging is a type of dental radiography that uses an image receptor, such as an X-ray sensor or film, placed inside a subject's mouth to capture images of an intraoral target by exposing the film to an X-ray beam generated outside the mouth and passing through the intraoral target to detect cavities, assess tooth development, bone and gum health, and diagnose dental conditions. A positioning arm connects the image receptor to an aiming ring, part of a dental X-ray positioning system to align the X-ray beam with the image receptor. The positioning arm aligns the aiming ring with the image receptor. After securing the image receptor in the subject's mouth, the technician aligns the X-ray machine's position-indicating tube with the image receptor using the aiming ring to align the X-ray beam with the image receptor. Precise alignment of the image receptor with the X-ray beam through the aiming ring ensures proper imaging. Conventionally, aligning the position-indicating tube with the image receptor by the aiming ring is done manually, which is cumbersome and complex and often leads to imaging errors, requiring repeated alignment adjustments and repeated imaging to obtain suitable images, necessitating continued improvement in the art.

According to the invention, an X-ray aiming ring apparatus includes an aiming ring and a connector. The aiming ring defines an opening. The connector includes a first extremity and a second extremity. The first extremity defines an inlet. The second extremity defines an outlet. The connector defines an X-ray beam channel through the connector from the inlet to the outlet. The connector extends outward to the first extremity from the second extremity connected to the aiming ring. The X-ray beam channel is open to the opening by the outlet. The first extremity is configured to connect mechanically to an X-ray machine position-indicating tube having an open discharge end and arranged about an X-ray beam centerline, to open the X-ray beam channel to the open discharge end by the inlet and axially align the open discharge end, the inlet, the X-ray beam channel, and the outlet along the X-ray beam centerline. The aiming ring and the connector have interconnecting portions connecting the second extremity to the aiming ring. The interconnecting portions include male portions carried by the connector and female portions formed in the aiming ring, the male portions interconnecting the respective female portions. The second extremity is a rim defining the outlet and the male portions extend outward from the connector adjacent to rim. The female portions are open, enabling withdrawal of the male portions from the female portions to detach the second extremity from the aiming ring. The aiming ring has a first surface and a second surface, the opening is through the aiming ring from the first surface to the second surface, and the female portions are formed in the aiming ring between the first surface and the second surface. The outlet and the inlet are parallel to each other, the outlet is larger than the inlet that is larger than the open discharge end, and the channel tapers from the outlet to the inlet. The open discharge end, the inlet, and the outlet are each rectangular. The first extremity and the open discharge end are configured to be inserted one into the other to connect the coupling mechanically to the X-ray machine position-indicating tube.

According to the invention, an X-ray aiming ring setup includes an aiming ring, a connector, and an X-ray machine position-indicating tube. The X-ray machine position-indicating tube has an open discharge end and is arranged about an X-ray beam centerline. The aiming ring defines an opening. The connector includes a first extremity and a second extremity. The first extremity defines an inlet. The second extremity defines an outlet. The connector defines an X-ray beam channel extending through the connector from the inlet to the outlet. The connector extends outward to the first extremity from the second extremity connected to the aiming ring. The X-ray beam channel is open to the opening by the outlet. The first extremity is connected mechanically to the X-ray machine position-indicating tube, opening the X-ray beam channel to the open discharge end by the inlet and axially aligning the open discharge end, the inlet, the X-ray beam channel, and the outlet along the X-ray beam centerline. The aiming ring and the connector have interconnecting portions connecting the second extremity to the aiming ring. The interconnecting portions include male portions carried by the connector and female portions formed in the aiming ring. The second extremity is a rim defining the outlet and the male portions extend outward from the connector adjacent to the rim. The female portions are open, enabling withdrawal of the male portions from the female portions to detach the second extremity from the aiming ring. The aiming ring has a first surface and a second surface, the opening is through the aiming ring from the first surface to the second surface, and the female portions are formed in the aiming ring between the first surface and the second surface. The outlet is smaller than the opening of the aiming ring. The outlet and the inlet are parallel to each other, the outlet is larger than the inlet that is larger than the open discharge end, and the channel tapers from the outlet to the inlet. The open discharge end, the inlet, and the outlet are each rectangular. The first extremity is a rim defining the inlet and is fit over an outward-facing annular recess formed in the X-ray machine position-indicating tube, mechanically connecting the first extremity to the X-ray machine position-indicating tube and locating the open discharge end within the inlet.

Disclosed are an X-ray aiming ring apparatus and setups.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to, perspective views of an X-ray aiming ring apparatusincluding an assembly of an aiming ringand a connector. The aiming ringand the connectorare adapted to be connected releasably, allowing them to be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without requiring specialized knowledge, skill, or tools. The connectoris a mechanical interface between the aiming ringand an X-ray machine position-indicating tube to axially align the apparatusand an image receptor mechanically connected to the aiming ringalong an X-ray beam centerline of the X-ray machine position-indicating tube to facilitate accurate and efficient X-ray imaging. The aiming ringand the connectorare made of plastic or radiolucent polymer materials to ensure they do not interfere with the X-ray image while providing durability and lightweight handling.

Referring relevantly to,illustrating the aiming ringdetached from the connectorandbeing a section view taken along line-of, the aiming ringhas no moving parts and consists of a body. The bodyis disc-shaped with opposed surfacesandextending radially outward from an inner peripheral extremityto an outer peripheral extremity. The bodyhas a thicknessfrom surfaceto surface. For reference purposes, the bodyhas a lower end or extremity, generally denoted atA, and an opposed upper end or endB, generally denoted atB. The inner peripheral extremitydefines an openingthrough the thicknessof the bodyfrom surfaceto surface. For reference purposes, the openinghas a lower area or region, generally denoted atA, and an opposed upper area or region, generally denoted atB. The lower regionA is adjacent to the body'slower endA. The upper regionB is adjacent to the body'supper endB. The opening extends upright from the lower regionA to the upper regionB. The openingthe inner peripheral extremitydefines is rectangular, having a horizontal dimension along a horizontal axis of the bodyand a vertical dimension along a vertical axis of the bodyfrom the lower endA to the upper endB, the horizontal dimension being greater than the vertical dimension. Connected to the body'souter peripheral extremityare standard connectors, each used to secure a positioning arm connected to an image receptor using standard methods. The connectorsare spaced apart circumferentially and are identical, each including an armcoupled between the outer peripheral extremityand a standard couplingconfigured to receive and secure an end of a positioning arm connected to an image receptor. The aiming ringhas four connectorsand can have one or more as desired.

Referring relevantly to, the inner peripheral extremityencircling and defining the openingthrough the thicknessof the bodyfrom surfaceto surfaceincludes an annular intermediate flange, an annular outer flangesand, and groovesand. The outer flangesandare identical in every respect. The groovesandare identical in every respect. The intermediate flangeis between the outer flangesand. The grooveis formed by and between the intermediate flangeand the outer flange. The grooveis formed by and between the intermediate flangeand the outer flange. In, the intermediate flange, the outer flangesand, and the groovesandare parallel to each other. The intermediate flangeencircling the openinghas an axial thicknessbetween its opposed radial surfacesand, the outer flangeencircling the openinghas an axial thicknessbetween its radial inner surfaceand the surfaceof the body, and the outer flangeencircling the openinghas an axial thicknessbetween its radial inner surfaceand the surfaceof the body. The axial thicknesses,, andare the same. The grooveencircling the openingis formed by and between the surfaceof the intermediate flangeand the inner surfaceof the outer flange. The grooveencircling the openingis formed by and between the surfaceof the intermediate flangeand the inner surfaceof the outer flange. The intermediate flangeextends radially inward toward the openingto its peripheral edgeencircling the opening. The outer flangeextends radially inward toward the openingto its annular peripheral edgeencircling the opening. The outer flangeextends radially inward toward the openingto its annular peripheral edgeencircling the opening. The intermediate flangeextends proud relative to the outer flangesand, meaning it extends radially inward into the openingslightly beyond the peripheral edgesandof the respective outer flangesandto its annular peripheral edge, as shown in. The grooveextends radially inward to the openingand opens to the openingbetween the peripheral edgeof the intermediate flangeand the peripheral edgeof the outer flange. The grooveextends radially inward to the openingand opens to the openingbetween the peripheral edgeof the intermediate flangeand the peripheral edgeof the outer flange.

In, the inner peripheral edgeof the outer flangehas a profile along the opening'supper regionB between either side of the opening. This inner peripheral edgeprofile forms a cutoutin the outer flange. The cutoutextends between either side of the opening'supper regionB. The cutoutdefines ledgesA andB in the inner peripheral edgeand pocketsand. The ledgeA and the pocketdefined by the profile of the inner peripheral edgeare on one side of the opening'supper regionB and the ledgeB and the pocketdefined by the profile of the inner peripheral edgeare on the opposite side of the opening'supper regionB. The cutoutopens to the surfaceof the intermediate flangeextending across the opening'supper regionB from the pocketto the pocket. The pocketis above the ledgeA and is open to groove. The pocketis above the ledgeB and is open to the groove. The pocketopens downward to the groovebetween the ledgeA and the surfaceof the intermediate flange. The pocketopens downward to the groovebetween the ledgeB and the surfaceof the intermediate flange.

The profile of the outer flangealong the opening'supper regionB between either side of the openingis the same as the outer flange'sprofile. In, the inner peripheral edgeprofile forms a cutoutin the outer flange. The cutoutextends between either side of the opening'supper regionB. The cutoutdefines ledgesA andB in the inner peripheral edgeand pocketsand. The ledgeA and the pocketare on one side of the opening'supper regionB and the ledgeB and the pocketare on the opposite side of the opening'supper regionB. The cutoutopens to the surfaceof the intermediate flangeextending across the opening'supper regionB from the pocketto the pocket. The pocketis above the ledgeA and open to groove. The pocketis above the ledgeB and open to the groove. The pocketopens downward to the groovebetween the ledgeA and the surfaceof the intermediate flange. The pocketopens downward to the groovebetween the ledgeB and the surfaceof the intermediate flange.

Referring relevantly to, the connectorhas no moving parts and is a hollow body. The hollow bodyis a continuous sidewallhaving an outer surface, an inner surface, and opposed extremitiesand. The extremityis a rimA that encircles an inletat the inlet end of the hollow body. The extremityis a rimA that encircles an outletat the outlet end of the hollow body. The inner surfacedefines an X-ray beam channelthrough the hollow bodyfrom the inletto the outlet. The inletand the outletare parallel to each other. The outletis larger than the inletand the continuous sidewalland its outer and inner surfacesandand the X-ray beam channeltaper from the outletto the inletand, thus, widen from the inletto the outlet. In this embodiment, the hollow bodyis a rectangular frustum, in which the continuous sidewallhas four trapezoidal walls,,, andextending from the rectangular outletdefined by the rectangular rimA of the extremityto the comparatively smaller inletdefined by the rectangular rimA of the extremity. The wallsand, the opposed upper and lower walls of the hollow body, extend between the wallsand, the opposed end walls of the hollow body. The equal-length wallsandand the respective upper and lower ends of the hollow bodyare longer than the equal-length wallsandand the opposed ends of the hollow body. The inner surfacefollowing the trapezoidal walls,,, anddefines the rectangular frustoconical shape of the channeltapering from the outletto the inletand, thus, widening from the inletto the outlet.

The aiming ringand the connectorare configured to be assembled to form the apparatus, an integrated unit. Specifically, the aiming ringand the connectorhave interconnecting portions configured to connect the connector'sextremityto the aiming ringto form the apparatusin. The interconnecting portions are male portions configured to interconnect corresponding female portions. In the present embodiment, the connectorhas the male portions and the aiming ringhas the female portions. The relative positioning of male and female portions can be selectively reversed or mixed and matched in alternate embodiments. As described below, the male portions are projections or tabs and the corresponding female portions are corresponding groove portions configured to tightly receive the respective tabs.

The hollow bodyhas the tabs, the male portions of the interconnecting portions. The tabsare identical, spaced apart circumferentially, extend outward from the outer surfaceof the hollow bodyadjacent to the rimA at the outlet end of the hollow body, and are dimensioned to be tightly received by corresponding groove portions of the grooveand the grooveas described herein. In this example, the hollow body has three tabsA,B, andC. The tabA extends outward from the outer surfaceof the end walladjacent to the rimA and near the upper wallat the upper end of the hollow body. The tabB extends outward from the outer surfaceof the end walladjacent to the rimA and near the upper wallat the upper end of the hollow body. The tab, in turn, extends outward from the outer surfaceof the lower walladjacent to the rimA at the lower end of the hollow bodyat an intermediate location between the opposed ends wallsand.

The assembly of the aiming ringand the connectorforms the X-ray aiming ring apparatusin. The relative sizing of aiming ringand the connectorenable their assembly in the following manner. In, a worker assembles the aiming ringand the connectorby holding the aiming ringupright from its lower endA to its upper endB. He locates the connectoron the surfaceside of the aiming ring, holding it upright from its lower wallto its upper wall, aligning the outletof the connectorwith the aiming ring'sopening, and registering the tabsA andB with the respective pocketsandon either side of the upper regionB of the opening. He advances the connectortoward the openingin the direction of arrow B, inserting the extremityinto the openingthrough the surfaceto locate the tabsA andB in the respective pocketsandabove the respective ledgesA andB and against the surfaceof the intermediate flangeopen to the respective pocketsand, and engage the connector'srimA extending downward along the end wallsandfrom the respective tabsA andB and across the lower end walldirectly against the confronting portions of the surfaceof the intermediate flange, disabling the connectorfrom moving into the openingbeyond the intermediate flange. This initially fits the connector'sextremity, the outlet end of the connector, in the openingencircled by the peripheral edgeof the outer flangeand the groovebetween the outer flangeand the intermediate flangeand registers the connector'stabsA,B, andC with opposing corresponding groove portionsA,B, andC of the groove, the tabA registered with its tightly-fitting groove portionA of the grooveopen to the pocketbetween the ledgeA and the surfaceof the intermediate flange, the tabB registered with its tightly-fitting groove portionB of the grooveopen to the pocketbetween the ledgeB and the surfaceof the intermediate flange, and the tabC registered with its tightly-fitting groove portionC of the grooveopen to the openingbetween the ledgesA andB at the lower regionB of the opening. The groove portionsA,B, andC are the female portions of the interconnecting portions. The worker interconnects the tabsA,B, andC with the respective groove portionsA,B, andC by shifting the connectordownward relative to the aiming ringin the direction of arrow C inwith a force sufficient to forcibly insert the tabA tightly into the groove portionA inthrough the opening to the portionA between the ledgeA and the surfaceof the intermediate flange, the tabB tightly into the groove portionB inthrough the opening to the portionB between the ledgeB and the surfaceof the intermediate flange, and, as shown in, the tabC tightly into the groove portionC of the grooveopen to the openingat the lower regionB of the opening, settling the outer surfaceof the lower wallin direct contact against the underlying portion of the outer flange'speripheral edgeat the lower regionB of the openingin, securing the connectorto the aiming ringreleasably to form the apparatus. The inner surfaceof the outer flangeand the opposing surfaceof the intermediate flangesqueeze tightly against the tabsA,B, andC when they are inserted into their respective groove portionsA,B, andC, frictionally securing the tabsA,B, andC to the respective groove portionsA,B, andC. The interconnected tabA and groove portionA in, the interconnected tabB and groove portionB in, and the interconnected tabC and groove portionC insecure the connectorto the aiming ringreleasably to form the integrated unit consisting of the assembled aiming ringand connector. The worker can reverse this assembly operation to detach the connectorfrom the aiming ring. The open groove portionsA,B, andC enable the withdrawal of the respective tabsA,B, andC to detach the extremityof the connectorfrom the aiming ring, the tabA outward from the groove portionA inthrough the opening to the portionA between the ledgeA and the surfaceof the intermediate flange, the tabB outward from the groove portionB inthrough the opening to the portionB between the ledgeB and the surfaceof the intermediate flange, and the tabC outward through the groove portionC open to the openingat the lower regionB of the opening.

The now assembled aiming ringand connectorform the X-ray aiming ring apparatusin. Referring relevantly to, the connectorof the apparatusextends outward to the extremityat the inlet end of the connectorfrom the extremityat the outlet end of the connectorconnected to the aiming ring, with the connector'soutletopen to the opening. The connector'sX-ray beam channelis open to the openingby the outlet. The continuous sidewalland its outer and inner surfacesandand the X-ray beam channeltaper from the outletto the comparatively smaller inletand, thus, widen from the inletto the comparatively larger outlet. The inlet, the outletand the openingare parallel to each other.

Referring to, shown is an X-ray machine position-indicating tubewith an open discharge endformed with an outward-facing annular recess, the tubeand the open discharge endarranged about an X-ray beam centerlinealong which the X-ray beam generated by an X-ray machine travels outward from the tube'sopen discharge end. The apparatusis configured to be attached or otherwise connected releasably to the tube, allowing them to be repeatedly assembled to form an X-ray aiming ring setupinand disassembled.

The extremityat the inlet end of the connectoris configured to connect mechanically to the tubeto open the X-ray beam channelto the open discharge endby the inletand axially align the open discharge end, the inlet, the X-ray beam channel, and the outletto the aiming ring'sopeningalong the X-ray beam centerlinealong which the X-ray beam generated by the X-ray machine travels from the tube'sopen discharge endto axially align an image receptor supported on the outer side of the aiming ring'ssurfaceby a positioning arm connected to the couplingof one of the connectorsalong the X-ray beam centerlineto effect accurate and efficient X-ray imaging.

In, the worker connects the apparatusto the tubeby holding the apparatusupright from its lower endA to its upper endB. He locates the open discharge endof the tubeon the surfaceside of the aiming ring, axially aligning the open discharge endwith the connector'sinlet, axially aligning the X-ray beam channelabout the tube's X-ray beam centerline. He advances apparatustoward the tube'sopen discharge endalong the X-ray beam centerlinein the direction of arrow D to mechanically connect the connector'sextremityto the tubeinby forcibly inserting the open discharge endinto the inletto fit the extremity'srimA over the recess, frictionally securing the recessin direct contact against the inward-facing inner surfaceof the connectoradjacent to the rimA of the extremityat the connector'sinlet end, forming the X-ray aiming ring setup. The extremityat the inlet end of the connectorand the open discharge endof the tube have corresponding sizes, enabling them to frictionally interconnect, as described, to mechanically connect the connector'sextremityto the tube, locating the open discharge endwithin the inlet. In, the open discharge end, the inlet, the outletand the openingare parallel to each other in the setup.

Referring in relevant part to, the connectornow connected mechanically between with the aiming ringand the tubeis a mechanical interface between the aiming ringand the tube, opening the connector'sX-ray beam channelto the open discharge endby the inletand axially aligning the open discharge end, the inlet, the X-ray beam channel, and the outletto the aiming ring'soutlet along the X-ray beam centerlineto effect accurate and efficient X-ray imaging. The open discharge end, the inlet, the X-ray beam channeland the outletare centered along the X-ray beam centerlinein the setup. The mechanical connection of the aiming ringto the tubeby the connectorfacilitates accurate and efficient axially alignment of the aiming ringto the open discharge endand an image receptorsupported on the outer side of the aiming ring'ssurfaceby a positioning arm, connected to the couplingof one of the connectorsin, along the X-ray beam centerlinealong which the X-ray beam generated by the X-ray machine travels outward from the open discharge end, through the X-ray beam channelof the connectorfrom its inletto its outletand outward through the aiming ring'sopeningfrom the connector'soutletto the image receptorsupported on the outer side of the aiming ring'ssurface. This effectuates accurate and efficient X-ray imaging without having to make alignment adjustments between the interconnected tubeand apparatus.

In, the recesshas outwardly projecting projectionsto hasten the frictional engagement against the inner surfaceof the connectoradjacent to the rimA of the extremityat the connector'sinlet end when the open discharge endis inserted into the connector'sinlet. The insertion of the open discharge endinto the inletensures the outletdoes not interfere with the geometry of the open discharge endthat ensures that the X-ray beam passing through it to the X-ray beam channelthat widens from the inletto the outletis aligned into a parallel beam. How the X-ray beam channelwidens to the outletto the aiming ring'sopeningfrom the inletover the open discharge endensures that the connectordoes not interfere or redirect the X-ray beam passing through it to the aiming ring's opening. The worker can separate the apparatusfrom the tubesimply by pulling them apart.

Since the outer flangesandand the cutoutsandare identical, a technician can alternately connect the connectorto the aiming ringalong the sideof the aiming ringusing the pocketsandand interconnecting the tabsA,B, andC with corresponding groove portions of the groove. The resulting assembly of the aiming ringand the connectoris otherwise the same as the apparatusand is useful with the tubein the same way as the setupdescribed above.

In, the rimA of the connector'sextremityfits tightly over the outward-facing annular recessformed in the open discharge endof the tubeto mechanically connect the connector'sextremityto the tubeby the direct contact of the connector'sinward-facing inner surfaceagainst the tube'soutward-facing annular recess, locating the open dischargeend within the inlet. This is an insertion joint between the connectorand the tube, in which the tube'sopen discharge endis inserted into the inletof the connector'sextremitythat fits tightly over the tubeand, more specifically, over the tube'soutward-facing annular recess. Accordingly, in setupthe connector'sextremityand the tube'sopen discharge endare configured to be inserted one into the other, the open discharge endinto the inletof the connector'sextremity, to connect the couplingmechanically to the tubeby the frictional engagement between the connectorand the tube.

In an alternate embodiment of a setupA in, the tubeis sized to fit over the outer surfaceof the connectorwhen the connectoris inserted extremityfirst into and through the tube'sopen discharge end. As seen in, the connectoris inserted extremityfirst into and through the tube'sopen discharge endthat fits tightly over and directly against the connector'souter surfacebetween the inletand the outlet, mechanically connecting the connectorto the tube. Accordingly, setupA indemonstrates an alternate insertion joint between the connectorand the tube, in which the connectoris inserted extremityfirst into the open discharge endof the tubethat fits tightly over in direct contact against the connector'souter surfacebetween the extremityand the extremity. The mechanical connection of the aiming ringto the open discharge endof the tubefitted over and connected to the outer surfaceof the connectorin the setupA facilitates accurate and efficient axially alignment of the aiming ringto the open discharge endand the image receptorsupported on the outer side of the aiming ring'ssurfaceby the positioning armconnected to the couplingof one of the connectorsas discussed in, along the X-ray beam centerlinealong which the X-ray beam generated by the X-ray machine travels outward through the X-ray beam channelof the connectorfrom its inletand through the tube'sopen discharge endto the connector'soutletand outward through the aiming ring'sopeningfrom the connector'soutletto the image receptorsupported on the outer side of the aiming ring'ssurfaceas in. And so in setupA the connector'sextremityand the tube'sopen discharge endare configured to be inserted one into the other, the connector'sextremityinto the tube'sopen discharge end, to connect the couplingmechanically to the tubeby the frictional engagement between the connectorand the tube. The connectorof the setupA connected mechanically between with the aiming ringand the tubeis a mechanical interface between the aiming ringand the tube, opening the connector'sX-ray beam channelto the open discharge endby the inletand axially aligning the open discharge end, the inlet, the X-ray beam channel, and the outletto the aiming ring'soutlet along the X-ray beam centerlineto effect accurate and efficient X-ray imaging. The open discharge end, the inlet, the outletand the openingare parallel to each other in the setupA. The worker can separate the apparatusfrom the tubeof the setupA simply by pulling them apart.

The size of the connectorenables it to connect releasably to the tube, whether over the tube, over the tube'sopen discharge end, to connect the aiming ringto the tubeto form the setupin, or in the tube, in the tube'sopen discharge end, to connect the aiming ringto the tubeto form the setupA in. In either embodiment, connecting the connectorto the tubeis simple, quick, requires no specialized knowledge, skill, or tools, and requires no modification to the tube. The tapered configuration of the connector, how it tapers from extremityto extremity, allows it to fit extremityfirst in and connect to the open discharge end of tubes of slightly different sizes, allowing smaller tubes to fit over and directly engage the connector'souter surfaceproximate to the connector'sextremity, larger tubes to fit over and directly engage the connector'souter surfaceproximate to the connector'sextremity, as shown in thesetupA, and medium-sized tubes to fit over and directly engage the connector'souter surfaceat and proximate to the middle of the connectorbetween the extremityand the extremity.

The present invention is described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: